But Poyet, who took the reins at the Stadium of Light in October, has backed the close-season signing from Juventus to recover and feels Giaccherini will be a part of Cesare Prandelli's squad in Brazil next year, providing he performs well domestically.

"The aim for Giaccherini is to play at the World Cup for Italy so we need him to perform," Poyet is quoted as saying by The Northern Echo.

"If he performs well for us, easy he will be there. The key for us is he is the player we need. That's why we got him in the summer. That is why he is so important for us and we hope he can keep playing and performing.

"I try to say forget it [the miss] - it happens. The good thing for me is Giaccherini played for me for 90 minutes for the first time.

"He was good on the ball and moved well. He understood what he needed to do and helped the boys in defence which is perfect for him because he wants to play week in, week out."